Resilient two stage clip for automotive application

ABSTRACT

A two stage spring clip for moveably fastening a first substrate to a second substrate through an aperture. The clip is comprised of an insert nose portion with outwardly tapered legs to form a first retaining portion. The first retaining portion has a first retaining shoulder that extends at a first angle that is substantially perpendicular to a centerline. The outwardly extending legs extend from said first retaining shoulder to form a second retaining shoulder. The second retaining shoulder extends from said centerline at a second angle that is less than the angle of the first retaining shoulder. The legs are further equipped with stop flanges that extend from the outwardly extending legs at an angle that prevents the over insertion of the spring clip into an aperture by acting as a stop against the sides of said aperture. The outwardly extending legs terminate in opposed flanges and during deployment of an air bag side curtain. The clip is displaced any distance, and preferably 13-15 mm, yet retained in the aperture to prevent the trim cover from detachment from the pillar during air bag deployment.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a two stage clip for automotiveapplication wherein it is desirable to provide for a clip that allows adefined movement of a trim cover to permit deployment of an air curtainwithout release of the trim cover into the passenger compartment. Thetwo stage clip is equipped with two retention surfaces that permit thetrim cover to move sufficient distance to allow deployment of an aircurtain, but which does not permit the trim cover to become detachedfrom a vehicle pillar when the air curtain deploys.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fastener for use with an automotivetrim cover on an automotive pillar, and more particularly, to a twostage retention clip for use in an automotive trim covering an aircurtain.

In the automotive industry, parts are secured in place with a variety ofautomotive fasteners. Spring clips are particularly useful in thisregard, as they offer ease of serviceability and provide excellentretention capabilities.

However, it has been a challenge in the industry to provide a springretainer clip that may secure a trim piece into place and yet permit thetrim piece to be moved a controlled distance to permit the deployment ofan air curtain during impact situations. In addition, it has been achallenge to prevent the trim piece from becoming detached duringdeployment of the air curtain. The present invention meets thesechallenges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a one piece two stage clip used to secure trimcovers in place in automotive interior applications wherein the trimcover overlays an air curtain or other safety deployment system. The twostage clip is preferably a unitary structure constructed of a resilientmaterial such as steel or plastic and is configured such that the cliphas two spring flanges in opposed relation to each other to provide anoutward spring action to the clip and two retaining spring clipstructures. Ordinarily, the spring clip of the present invention isstamped from a single piece of spring steel, or formed of any otherresilient material to form a clip that is a unitary structure. The twostage spring clip is insertable into cooperatively aligned apertures ina first and second substrate and has an outwardly tapered insertionportion that has retaining shoulders that extend at an angle from thecenterline of the clip. The two stage clip has a second insertionportion extending from the first shoulders that extends therefrom andforms a second retaining surface that extend from the outwardly taperedsection at a second angle that may be the same or different than thefirst angle, and is shown as less than the first angle of the firstretaining shoulders. Flange surfaces are provided as stops to preventover insertion of the insert into an aperture. In addition, the stopsprevent the trim piece from detachment during impact situations. When anair curtain is deployed, the force of the deployment will overcome theretention effected by the second retention shoulders and permit the trimpiece to move a fixed distance and permit deployment of the air curtain.However, the force of the air curtain deployment is not sufficient toovercome the retention force between the first retaining shoulders andthe aperture into which it is inserted, thereby ensuring that the trimpiece will not become a projectile when the air curtain deploys in anemergency situation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the two stage retention spring clip ofpresent invention showing its construction.

FIG. 2 is a cut away side view of the retention spring clip of FIG. 1retaining an automotive trim piece in place.

FIG. 3 is another view of the two stage retention spring clip in FIG. 2after the air curtain has deployed, showing the clip retaining the trimpiece in place while allowing the air curtain to deploy.

FIG. 4 is another embodiment of the two stage retention spring clip ofthe present invention showing its construction.

FIG. 5 is another embodiment of the two stage retention clip of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Turning now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to likestructures, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown therein aperspective view of two stage retaining spring clip 10. Clip 10 isconstructed in one piece and may be made of a resilient material such asmetal, such as steel or any other metal, or plastic or any otherresilient material to present a unitary structure.

The clip of FIG. 1 is equipped with an insert nose portion 12 havingangled portions 14 and 16 that terminate in shoulder portions 20 and 21respectively to form a first retaining portion 18. Shoulders 20, 21terminating in base 23 and 23 a, respectively extend at a first anglethat is shown as obtuse to the centerline 22 of the two stage retainingspring clip 10, but which may be perpendicular to the centerline, or atany other angle according to the design requirements of the trim panelsto be fastened together. Angled portions 14 and 16 of the insert noseportion may be equipped with optional spring flanges 24, 25. Each springflange is a mirror of the other, and is formed of a first angled portion11, which is oriented at the same angle as angled portion 14, and asecond angled portion 13, which is angled at an angle less than theangled portion 11. Each said flange terminates in a shoulder portion 15,17 respectively that may be angled relative to centerline 22 to providefor a more secure retention of the two stage spring clip in an aperturein a trim panel.

The outwardly extending legs 26, 27 extend from the bases 23 and 23 a toform a second retaining shoulders 28, 29. The second retaining shoulders28, 29 extend at a second angle that maybe the same or different thatthe angle of the first retaining shoulder, and is shown as less than theangle of the first retaining shoulder, and terminate in angled surfaces33, and 35 respectively. Stop flanges 30, 31 extend from the outwardlyextending legs at an angle that prevents the over insertion of thespring clip into an aperture by acting as a stop against the innersurface of the substrate proximal to the aperture. In addition, thestops cooperatively act to prevent the detachment of the trim piece frothe clip during air curtain deployment. In one embodiment, the stopsextend substantially perpendicular from the centerline of the two stagespring clip 10.

The outwardly extending legs are equipped with opposed spring flanges 32and 34 to provide a resiliently deflective outwardly directed force whenthe legs are pressed together, or when an object is inserted betweenthem. In addition, these flanges act to permit the insertion of a post43 integral with the trim piece and grip the post during air curtaindeployment so that the trim cover is prevented from complete detachment.These spring flanges are equipped with guides 19 and 19 a to assure theproper directional travel of the two stage retention pin over a post 43,as seen in FIG. 3, during insertion of the pin to retain the trim coverin place. As seen in FIG. 1, the outwardly extending legs terminate inflanges 37 and 36, respectively.

As seen in FIG. 2, trim cover 39 has a pin 43 that is insertable betweenguides 19, 19 a and opposed spring flanges 32 and 34. When the clip isinserted into aperture 38 of doghouse 46, the legs open in a scissorlike manner as they ride over post 43. When the pin is inserted fullyinto the aperture 38, the legs snap back into their originalconfiguration and act to secure the clip into the dog house and the trimcover in place.

Continuing with FIG. 2, there is shown the two stage spring clip of FIG.1 in an automotive application. As shown therein, a first substrate,such as a trim cover 39, is secured into place on a second substrate,such as, for example, the A pillar 40 of an automobile. Specifically,the clip is inserted into an aperture 38 and retains the trim cover 39in place on the A pillar 40 of an automobile interior. Those skilled inthe art will recognize that only the second retaining shoulders 28 and29 are actually retaining the trim cover tightly in place on the pillar.It is to be noted that the second shoulder has an inclined shouldersurface, and that the first retaining shoulder has an inclined shoulderthat is preferably a perpendicular retaining surface, but may be anyangle relative to the centerline, and is shown as greater than the angleincline of the second retaining shoulder. Both the first shoulder andthe second shoulder, in their un-deformed states, are larger than theaperture 42 of the trim cover into which they are inserted. Air curtain44 is shown by the dotted lines in its undeployed state.

Turning again to FIG. 3, when air curtain 44 is deployed, it exertsforce against the trim cover, and the force against the trim covercauses the entire trim cover to move outwardly from the force, andforces the second retaining shoulder to engage the aperture. Because thesecond retaining shoulder is inclined at an angle that is small relativeto the centerline of the clip, the force from the air curtain deploymentforces the inclined surfaces of the clip to pass through the apertureand the clip slightly depresses, thereby freeing the clip from retentionby the second retention shoulder. As the force from the air curtaincontinues to exert force against the trim cover, it separates from thepillar the length of the outwardly extending legs until the firstretaining shoulders meet the aperture. Because the first retainingshoulders are inclined at an angle, shown as greater than the incline ofthe second shoulder, and preferably substantially perpendicular to thecenterline of the clip, it acts as a shoulder stop and the clip does notdeform or permit the first retaining shoulder to pass through theaperture. In addition, the trim cover is equipped with post 43 thatengages the spring clip during deployment to prevent the clip fromcompressing proximal to the first retaining shoulders, therebypreventing the first retaining shoulders from passing through theaperture 38. In addition, the flanges grip the post so that the trimcover does not disengage from the clip and become free during aircurtain deployment. By way of explanation, during assembly, the post 43is inserted through guides 17 and 19 and encounter flanges 24 and 25.Spring flanges 24 and 25 engage the post, thereby preventingdisengagement of the spring clip from the post during air curtaindeployment. The trim cover, positioned between the first retainingshoulder and the stop flanges on the clip cannot travel any further thanthe length of the outwardly extending legs of the clip and the trimcover does not become a projectile within the vehicle interior duringdeployment of the air curtain. Indeed, the clip is dimensioned such thatthe trim cover may be dislodged from about 13 mm to about 15 mm from thepillar to permit deployment of the air curtain and to prevent the trimcover from becoming freed from any attachment to the pillar.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the spring clip of the presentinvention. Specifically, the two stage spring clip 48 is a unitarystructure that is made of any resilient material and preferably isformed from a single piece of resilient spring steel.

A pair of legs 50, 52 is joined as a unitary piece and presents asubstantially U shaped profile. Each of the legs 50, 52 is equipped withopposed deflection tabs 54, 56, and 58 and 60, respectively. The firstset of deflection tabs may further operate a guide to ensure the pin 43of the trim cover travels between the legs during deployment of the airbag as set forth with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 above. The deflectiontabs further act to retain the post 43 in place so that, as describedwith the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the trim cover does not become free ofthe two stage retention clip. The legs terminate in stops 62 and 64.Each stop is equipped with a leg portion 66 and 68 that terminates inshoulder 70 and 72, respectively. Each shoulder is oriented to besubstantially perpendicular to the centerline 74. The insert noseportion 76 is formed of angled inclined surfaces 78 and 80 that joinshoulders 70 and 72, and the inclined surfaces are spaced apart fromeach other. Inclined surface 78 is equipped with at least one flange 82and inclined surface 80 is equipped with a recess 84 cooperative to saidflange. The flange and recess operate to limit the inward deflection ofthe nose portion during insertion of the clip into a recess.

In operation, the spring clip of this embodiment operates in a mannersubstantially the same as that described for the embodiment of FIGS. 1through 3, with the exception that the pin on a trim cover as describedabove would be inserted between the legs 50, 52 of this embodiment andlimited to the travel possible within the confines of the U leg shapestructure of this embodiment instead of engaging the nose portion of thespring clip as described in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 above.

FIG. 5, shows another embodiment of the present invention, and may beseen as a variety of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. Specifically, clip86, is equipped legs 88 and 90 to present a substantially U shapedstructure. This U shaped structure is equipped with at least onere-enforcement rib 92, and 94 at least partially overlying said U shapedlegs to facilitate gripping of the post 43 (not shown) of the trim coverby the clip. In addition, nose portion 95 is equipped with least one,and preferably each inclined surface 96 and 98 that has at least oneflange, and preferably a pair of flanges 100, 102 and 104 and 106,respectively that engage the inner surface of the substrate proximal tothe aperture into which the pin is inserted to provide for improvedretention during air curtain deployments. In operation, this embodimentoperates as set forth for FIGS. 1-4 above.

The unitary two way clip shown in the embodiments set forth above are ofadvantage in moveably fastening a first substrate to a second substratethrough cooperatively aligned apertures in the substrates. The clip isconfigured such that one substrate can be fastened to the clip to permitthe clip to be moved upon application of force to the substrate fastenedto the clip and the clip partially disengages from the apertures,permitting the clip to pass through the aperture a predetermineddistance until the first retaining shoulders come into contact with thearea proximal the apertures and engages that area, thereby preventingthe clip and aperture from completely disengaging.

The words used in the description of the invention are words ofillustration and not words of limitation. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that many modifications and variations are possible withoutdeparting from the scope and sprit of the invention as set forth in theappended claims.

1. A unitary two stage spring clip for moveably fastening a firstsubstrate to a second substrate through cooperatively aligned aperturesin said substrates, said clip comprising an insert nose portion withoutwardly tapered legs to form a first retaining portion; said firstretaining portion having a first retaining shoulder that extends at afirst angle relative to a centerline; said outwardly extending legsextend from said first retaining shoulder to form a second retainingshoulder; said second retaining shoulder extending from said centerlineat a second angle from said centerline; said legs further equipped withspring flanges in opposed relation to each other; said spring flangesfurther adapted to permit insertion of a post on a trim piece betweensaid flanges and prevent removal of the post; said legs equipped withstop flanges that extend from the outwardly extending legs at an anglethat prevents over insertion of the spring clip into an aperture byacting as a stop against a substrate surface proximal said aperture;said outwardly extending legs terminating in opposed flanges, the clipmay be inserted into the aperture and the resilient spring clip isretained in the aperture.
 2. The two stage clip of claim 1, wherein saidclip is retained in an aperture by the interaction of the secondretaining shoulder and the aperture.
 3. The two stage retention clip ofclaim 1, wherein said clip, in response to a force, may be dislodgedfrom interaction of the second retaining shoulder with the aperture,thereby permitting the clip to be partially removed from said apertureand permitting said first retaining shoulder to engage said aperture. 4.The two stage retaining clip of claim 1, wherein said clip is resilientand constructed of metal or plastic.
 5. The two stage retaining clip ofclaim 1, further including spring flanges formed in the nose portion ofthe outwardly extending legs to provide for a more secure fit andinsertion into an aperture.
 6. The two stage retaining clip of claim 3,wherein said first substrate is a trim cover and said second substrateis a pillar in a vehicle, and said force is the deployment of an aircurtain.
 7. The two stage retaining clip of claim 6, wherein said clip,in response to said force, is displaced from about 13 to about 15 mm,thereby permitting the air curtain to deploy without permitting the trimcover to become completely detached from said A pillar.
 8. A two stagespring clip for moveably fastening a first substrate to a secondsubstrate through cooperatively aligned apertures in said substrates,said clip being a unitary structure formed from a single piece ofresilient material, comprising a pair of legs joined as a unitary pieceto present a substantially U shaped profile; each said leg is equippedwith opposed deflection tabs and terminated in a stop; said deflectiontab acting as retention for a post on a substrate inserted therebetween;each stop equipped with a leg portion that terminates in a shoulder;each shoulder oriented to be at a first angle relative to a centerline;and an insert nose portion formed of angled inclined surfaces that joinsaid shoulders, said inclined surfaces spaced apart from each other; oneinclined surface equipped with at least one flange; said other inclinedsurface equipped with a recess cooperative to said flange.
 9. The twostage clip of claim 8, wherein said clip is retained in an aperture bythe interaction of the second retaining shoulder and the aperture. 10.The two stage retention clip of claim 8, wherein said clip, in responseto a force, may be partially dislodged from interaction of the secondretaining shoulder with the aperture, thereby permitting the clip to bepartially removed from said aperture and permitting said first retainingshoulder to engage said aperture.
 11. The two stage retaining clip ofclaim 8, wherein said clip is resilient and constructed of metal orplastic.
 12. The two stage retaining clip of claim 8, further includingspring flanges formed in the nose portion of the outwardly extendinglegs to provide for a more secure fit and insertion into an aperture ina trim panel.
 13. The two stage retaining clip of claim 10, wherein saidfirst substrate is a trim cover and said second substrate is a pillar ina vehicle, and said force is the deployment of an air curtain.
 14. Thetwo stage retaining clip of claim 13, wherein said clip, in response tosaid force, is displaced from about 13 to about 15 mm, therebypermitting the air curtain to deploy without permitting the trim coverto become completely detached from said retaining pin and said A pillar.15. The two stage retaining clip of claim 8, further including at leastone reinforcement rib at least partially overlying said U shaped legsand at least one flange extending from at least one said inclinedsurface.